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Harris CapRock Awarded $46 Million FAA Contract to Support the Alaskan Satellite Telecommunications Infrastructure

3 December 2013

Harris CapRock Communications, has been awarded a 10-year, $46 million contract from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to continue providing satellite services for the Alaskan Satellite Telecommunications Infrastructure (ASTI). The contract includes a two-year base period, with eight one-year options.

Because of the critical nature of the FAA’s communications requirements, Harris CapRock will provide a fully redundant satellite solution utilizing a two-satellite system to ensure dependable connectivity for voice and data. The ASTI program provides highly reliable interfacility communications to support the FAA’s air traffic control mission between remote and hub facilities in Alaska and other remote locations. Harris CapRock provided similar services to the FAA in Alaska under ASTI’s predecessor program.

“Harris has a long history of developing and integrating system solutions for the FAA in support of the National Airspace System (NAS),” said David Cavossa, president, government solutions, Harris CapRock. “We bring the stability, resources, expertise and technologies required to support the Alaskan aviation community and the FAA.”

The FAA launched ASTI as a next-generation upgrade to the Alaskan National Airspace System Interfacility Communication System (ANICS). Harris also was selected under a different contract to replace and upgrade ANICS system components that have become obsolete or have been affected by the harsh Alaskan weather, as well as provide a new network management system, system security enhancements, logistics support and training.

In addition to its work on the ASTI program, Harris is the prime contractor for the FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI) program, which provides critical voice, data and video communications for NAS operations and mission support functions. Other Harris-supported FAA programs include:

  • The Weather and Radar Processor that provides weather processing dissemination and display capabilities to air traffic controllers in the en-route air traffic control environment;
  • OASIS, which provides integrated weather briefing and flight planning capabilities for preflight weather briefings and in-flight updates in a managed service model;
  • NAS Voice System, which provides a secure, IP-based voice network for critical communications between air traffic controllers, pilots and ground personnel nationwide;
  • Data Communications Integrated Services, which will automate many of today’s routine ATC and en route voice communications with specialized data messaging equivalents; and
  • NAS Enterprise Messaging Service, which will serve as a network-centric distribution technology for a variety of data, including flight planning, traffic flow management, surface radar, and weather information.